Thursday, November 11, 2010

Lately, Newsy Stuff From Around Here

No Cake Wrecks here. In the mood for a very good doughnut? I was indulging a wish for a friend, and Aiden, (he's the baker, man,) recommended the cinnamon twist. He sees it all, so I knew I could rely on his suggestion. Thanks, and remember to tell 'em mark it with a B!

I wonder if thinking my camera is fatigued is like a self-fulfilling prophesy? Of the one hundred and sixty-one photographs I have taken this week, there are only a few that sort of inspire me to share them... somewhat reluctantly. So, is it the camera, or am I simply not trying hard enough?

Here is Temple. Named for Temple Grandin, a favorite scientist here at the Bird House. Unfortunately, our Temple is not a womanly chicken-hen, but a manly he-chicken, and a cocky one too. He drew the shortest straw this week, and I finally summoned the courage to take him on a country drive.

It broke my heart. A little bit. I did try to work with him, to be his pal, but he kept escalating the rumbles, with children, with the other chickens, with me! Even our dear neighbors, who love and respect all creatures great and feathered, decided he might not be a healthy addition to their flock. They chose wisely. It is hard to be a farmer, a soft-hearted suburban farmer. On the way over to the feed store-happy farm, Temple was silent and still. He slumped on the bottom of the cage, with his mop top drooped down from his prone body, and I thought he's dead! I had to pull over. Check his pulse. He was so forlorn and dejected. So. Yeah, I was crying and driving, and I left the feed store crying too.

Zelda would like to say, "Good riddance, and why didn't you take the other two knuckle-heads with you?"

Zoltar is a small and affectionate knuckle-headed rooster, and if he can calm down now that his rival is gone, then I will be happy to keep him here.

Tesla, is as big as Temple, but far less capable of being a menacing rooster, because of his special situation. Have I mentioned Tesla's "special situation?"Nikola Tesla is a Polish rooster, and he has chicken scoliosis. His spine is twisted, so badly that he looks as though his head is on the far end of his right shoulder. He can not look up, which makes drinking and eating a challenge. It's hard being a soft-hearted suburban farmer, and I know he would not last long on a real farm. He seems happy enough here, and though his condition may be his eventual undoing, until I see him suffering, he will have our compassionate affection.

Trudy is gone. I have avoided this sad update for some time. There was no sign of distress, no indication of illness. She was simply on the floor of the shark cage, and gone. There was only one way to tell Princess Trudy from her sister, Zelda: Trudy was the only one that would come to me when I called the chicas. Trudy and I were friends. It may have had something to do with her learning that I shared caterpillars, but she and Betty were the only ones that came when called by name. So, yes, more crying there. We had a lovely funeral, October 30th. On bed of rose petals we laid sweet Trudy to rest.

Other News...

Maria is still on the mend. Last night was not good. She had the green light to return to school, but now I worry that the long day has been too much. Today, we are home, so I will monitor her closely, and hope that she continues to heal.

Funny note: She came home with two inches of homework, and was elated. Elated! She proudly announced her homework situation to all, and smiled broadly. Diligently and happily, she has been tracing, cutting, gluing, coloring her way through every blessed page.Not a gene, habit, or attitude she inherited from her momma.

Alex invited Team Paradox, our favorite robotics team ever, over for a little float construction session. The holiday parade is coming up and the Paradoxians have plans! I hope everyone is ready for robotics, for FIRST, for Kick-off (only 58 days away!), for all it takes to be spirited and to inspire math, science, and engineering!

Oh... just noticed the time. Gee. I am a slow typist. Other news will have to wait. Time to greet the brand new day, away from the computer. If you have a moment, share your news... what's going on?

So happy to see the chickens! Love that photo at the top too--that baby is sooo CUTE! So glad Marie is on the mend, slowly, but surely. I love her appreciation of homework, that is precious. I hope that stays the same later when the homework is 12-inches high. ;o) Not to worry about the camera thing. Some weeks are just "off"... or so I've experienced. Thank you for visiting--I smile so much when I see you in the comments. Happy Weekend to all of you there ((BIG HUGS))

Three of my oldest and dearest blogging friends, all together here... what a lovely treat for me! Thank you Anne, Beverly, and Tracy. I feel blessed to know you three kind and lovely women. ((((((Big Hugs)))) indeed... to reach around the world.

Shop Closed Until We Have Sunnier Days!

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You are visiting Chicken Blog~

Deep thoughts and other musings, from a woman who writes about the man she loves, their 3 sons and 1 daughter, Chango the cat, and Mister Washburn Foo Cat, Tasha Goat and Ada Goat, our dear Chicas, sewing, gardening & cooking, making, art, science, playing...And our lives in a home with a view.

*Blogged Since May 24, 2002*

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Chirp-Chirp-Chirp BirdHouse Notes

Also, when did it become the end of the month all of a flippin' sudden??

March 30, 2015

8:27 pm

We may have reached a special phase in our project... the phase where I can't... can't cook, can't clean, can't see how we are going to return to (our version of) normal. But, at least I totally got dinner right: Cold cereals, for all!

March 30, 2015

8:26 pm

Anna Banana came by, which was a nice treat... I let her see every bit of the dust and chaos we are living in during our "simple" update to the porch, and living room. That's what you do with the ones you love... you don't pretend life is glossy and pure, instead you let it all hang out, and in return they hug you, and laugh with you, and let you know about a 20lb cat that needs a home. I love Anna B. She's a bestie, for sure.

March 28, 2015

11:54 am

An Open Air Barn

This is the place we designed and built to keep our chickens, goats, and bunnies happy and safe. It's a dream come true!